Overview

Explore Australia’s sunset coast on this spectacular self-drive holiday from Perth to Exmouth on the North West Cape. Enjoy the region’s unique wildlife both on and in the water, as well as scenic highlights from the geological wonders of Nambung and Kalbarri National Parks to the pristine beaches pristine beaches of Rottnest Island and Monkey Mia.

Highlights

Explore Rottnest Island home to the endearing quokka

Enjoy a full day tour in Monkey Mia

Marvel at the limestone formations of the Pinnacles

Explore the diverse geological wonders of Kalbarri National Park

Snorkel the reef from the beach at Coral Bay

Swim with magnificent whale sharks (Apr-Jul)

What's Included

Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom

Car rental

Discover Rottnest tour

Full day lagoon, kayak and snorkel tour in Monkey Mia

Full description

The endless coastline from Perth to Exmouth is home to deserted white sand beaches fringed by the inviting blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Here you will find World Heritage sites and marine reserves, home to an array of wildlife including sharks, whales, dolphins and dugongs, as well as the spectacular Ningaloo Reef Marine Park with its incredible coral gardens and abundance of brightly coloured fish.

Prices & Dates *

Airfares start from around £730 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price.
When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.

From prices per person based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom, including car hire

Departure

Duration

Car Category

Twin Price (pp)

01 Apr 2019 - 31 Mar 2020

11 nights

Toyota Corolla (or similar)

£1,071

What's Included

Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom (mix of mid-range hotels and motels)

Itinerary & Accommodation

Itinerary & Accommodation

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Day 1: Perth

Arrive in Perth and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Perth

Today is at leisure to explore the highlights of Perth and Fremantle. You may like to visit Kings Park Botanical Gardens, Cottesloe Beach or historic Fremantle with its cosmopolitan cafes and restored historic buildings.

Day 3: Perth

Explore the beauty and tranquillity of Rottnest Island on a guided tour. You will gain an insight into Rottnest's cultural and historical heritage, diverse wildlife and fauna and social heritage. You will also have a chance to stroll along the boardwalk at the majestic look-out point at West End. Return to Perth and spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 4: Perth - Cervantes (201 km)

Collect your intermediate rental vehicle from the Hertz city depot this morning and depart Perth for Cervantes. Nearby lies the unique Nambung National Park, home to the strange limestone formations known as the Pinnacles. Literally thousands of these limestone pillars, standing up to 4 metres tall, dot the barren landscape here and are well worth spending some time exploring.

Day 5: Cervantes - Kalbarri (378 km)

Depart Cervantes and continue to the town of Kalbarri. Kalbarri is a town of contrasts; the surrounding area is rich in history, wildflowers (in season) and spectacular scenery. The rocky wild coast north and south of the town has claimed many ships, dating back to the very first Europeans to venture this way. Kalbarri National Park is right on the doorstep of the town and covers 186,000 square kilometres, through the heart of which flows the Murchison River with some 85 kilometres of gorges.

Day 6: Kalbarri

Visit the gorges and formations carved by the Murchison River in Kalbarri National Park. Short walks provide easy access to spectacular lookouts. If time permits, hike the Z-Bend, a 1.4km return walk, considered by many to offer the most breathtaking view in the park. Gazing down, the gorge plunges 150 metres to the river below where river redgums create a striking contrast against the earthy Tumblagooda sandstone.

Day 7: Kalbarri - Monkey Mia (395 km)

Depart Kalbarri this morning for Shark Bay. You may wish stop en route to visit the famous Hamelin Pools to view the oldest living organisms on our planet, the stromatolites. Admittedly not much to look at, these living fossils are direct descendants of the oldest form of photosynthetic life on earth, and can be traced back 3.5 billion years! Monkey Mia is set on an isolated beach in Shark Bay and has created international interest with its resident dolphins, as well as being home to one of the world's largest dugong populations.

Day 8: Monkey Mia

You may wish to take part in an early morning dolphin feeding on the beach. You will then join a full day lagoon, kayak and snorkel tour. You will hopefully see dugongs, as well as other marine life which may include sea snakes, turtles and dolphins.

Day 9: Monkey Mia - Carnarvon (350 km)

Continue your journey to Carnarvon, situated at the mouth of the Gascoyne River. Here you will find plantations of mangoes, pawpaws, bananas, oranges and grapefruit.

Day 10: Carnarvon - Coral Bay (230 km)

Depart Carnarvon for Coral Bay. Coral Bay is in a lagoon formed between the Ningaloo Coral Reef and the coastline. The Reef is the longest continuous and most accessible reef complex in Western Australia, extending from north of Point Murat, round North West Cape, and south to Amherst Point, a distance of about 260 kilometres.

Day 11: Coral Bay

Today is at leisure - you may wish to join a cruise in search of the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park's many manta rays, turtles, dolphins and dugongs, or simply hire a snorkel and explore the reef directly from the beach! From April to July each year Ningaloo hosts some of the ocean's most striking visitors, huge whale sharks. Swimming with these gentle giants is highly recommended.

Day 12: Coral Bay - Learmonth (119 km)

Drop off your rental car at Learmonth Airport and depart.

Bayview, Coral Bay

Australia

Grade: Standard

Type: Hotel

Bayview Coral Bay is a family run resort, located at the heart of the Ningaloo Reef World Heritage area that provides the ideal location to base yourselves for your exploration of Ningaloo and Coral Bay.

Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Shark Bay

Australia

Grade: Standard

Type: Hotel

Located on the renowned Dolphin Beach one of the world’s best natural dolphin sighting areas, Monkey Mia Resort epitomises the laid back atmosphere of the region and is the ideal place to base yourself for exploration of the surrounding area.

Seashells Resort, Fremantle

Australia

Grade: Superior

Type: Hotel

Located in the heart of recently re-developed East Fremantle, less than 17km from the gateway to Western Australia, Perth, this brand new property epitomises the trendy, laid-back vibe for which Fremantle is so renowned.

Excursions

Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour, Shark Bay

Dolphin, Penguin & Sea Lion Adventure Cruise, Rockingham

from: £49

1.5 hours Year round

Australia

On this 90 minute cruise and walking tour you will get up close and personal with wild dolphins, watch sea lions bask on Seal Island and visit Penguin Island, home to Western Australia’s largest colony of little penguins.

Full Day Cape Leveque Adventure, Broome

from: £155

Full Day Year round

Australia

Enjoy a full day adventurous 4WD tour up to pristine Cape Leveque on the Dampier Peninsula. Travel up the red dirt 4WD track and learn about the area’s fascinating history as a largely Aboriginal-owned land.